| Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. |
| When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes |
| to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they |
| can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our |
| friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are |
| restored to health and vigor: those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and |
| strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. |
| The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone |
| very special to them who had to be left behind. |
| They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and |
| looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent: the eager body quivers. Suddenly |
| he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs |
| carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your |
| special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted |
| again. The happy kisses rain upon your face: your hands again caress the beloved |
| head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from |
| your life but never absent from your heart. |
| Then you cross Rainbow Bridge…together. |
| Paul C. Dahm |